Suspension-bridge.



No. 746,679. 'PATENTBD DEC. 15, 1903. .SPB. GROSS & A. S. QURS. SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19K 1903-.

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witumxoa' No. 746.679. PATE'NTED DB0; 15, 1903.

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SUSPENSION BRIDGE A'PPLIOATI H HLEDAUG. 19. 1903.

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UNITE STATES Patented December 15, 19(l3. PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL B. CROSS, OF MOUTH OF SENECA, AND'ARNOLD S. OURS, OF HOPEVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA.

SUSPENSION-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,579, dated December 1 5, 1903.

Application filed August 19, 1903. Serial No. 170.088. (No modelJ To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL B. Onoss, residing at Mouth of Seneca, in the county of Pendleton, and ARNOLD S. OURS, residing at Hopeville, in the county of Grant, State all of which will be fully described, and sp'e cifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation.. 2 is a modified form.

For convenience in illustrating, also to simplify the description, only one side of the bridge will be shown and described, it being understood that both sides are alike in construction.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, 1; and 2 represent the abutment-towers, which may be constructed in any desirable manner sufficiently stronf to support the structure. The main cables 3 and 4 pass from anchorage to anchorage over the tower or archl and under the tower or arch 2, and vice versa, and are secured together at the point 5, as

plainly shown in the drawings. A truss-cable 6, secured. by its ends to the respective an chors, is passed over the towers or arches and is adapted to support at its central portion a section of the framework, which consists of a cross-beam 7, having uprights or studs 8,

which are bolted or otherwise secured tothe main cables. A series of these beams and studs are arranged at regular intervals apart throughout the length of the bridge and are bolted or otherwise secured to the main and truss cables at every point where the said Fig.

- of boards laid in a transverse position with respect to the bridge. At a suitable height is a hand-rail 11, which is bolted to the studs 8, as clearly shown in the drawings. Upon each side of the central cross-beam is a series of holdup stay-cables l2 which are connected to the ends of the respective crossbeams and passing in opposite directions over .the abutment towers or arches 1 and 2 and thence oblique to the point of anchorage, and in a similar manner a series of holddown stay-cables are connected to the upper ends of the studs 8 and are passed in opposite directions down beneath the abutment towers or arches to the point of anchorage.

In Fig. 2 we have shown a modified form of "our invention, wherein the framework is substantially the same as that illustrated in Fig. '1, the construction differing only in the arrangement of the various cables. Referring thereto, it will be noted that a main cable 14, which is secured by its respective ends to the anchors and passed over the abutmenttower's l and 2, is adapted to support at its central portion one section of the framework, consisting of a cross-beam 7, having uprights or studs 8, the cable being bolted or other- Wise secured throughout its length to the uprights or studs at each point of crossing. The main cable 15, which is also secured by its respective ends to the anchors, is passed under the abutment-towers l and 2 and issecured at its central portion to the upper end of the central upright or stud 8. 'It' is further secured throughout its length at each point of crossing to' the uprights or studs arranged at equal distances apart on each side of the central stud, thus providing a holddown stay-cable as well as a main cable. This form of bridge is also provided with a series of holdup stay-cables 12, alike in construction to those shown in Fig. l, and, if found desirable, it may also be provided with holddown stay-cables, such as are indicated by reference-numeral13 in Fig. 1. However, we do not deem these cables essential in the construction of this modified form.

The cables employed in the construction of the bridge consist of a series of smooth galvanizcd wires which are stretched from one anchor to the other and are passed over or under the abutment-towers, as the case may be. In order to secure the proper tension, these wires are twisted together, a bar of iron being inserted in the center of proper size to admit when withdrawn a bolt for securing the cable to the upright or stud, the cable being twisted in reverse direction between each stud throughout its entire length.

It will thus be seen that we provide a suspension bridge which will efficiently perform all of its intendedfunctions. It is to be understood that changes in form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without sacrificing any of the ad vantages of this invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bridge, the combination of the abutment-towers, main cables passing over one tower and under the other and vice versa, truss cables supported by the towers and adapted to engage the central portion of the frame, a series of cross-beams and studs, arranged at equal intervals apart throughout the length of the bridge, holdup and holddown stay-cables supported respectively by the top and base of the towers and engaging the cross-beams and studs, longitudinal joists supported by the cross-beams, and a floor consisting of transverse boards resting upon the said joists, substantially as specified.

2. In a bridge, the combination of the abutment-towers, main cables passing from one anchorage to the other over one tower and under the other, and Vice versa, the main cables being connected at the point of crossing, truss-cables passing. from one anchorage to the other and supported upon the tops of the said towers, the central portion of the frame being supported by the truss-cables, a series of cross-beams having studs at each end, hand-rails supported by the studs, holdup and holddown stay-cables supported respectively at the top and base of the towers and connected to the said cross-beams and studs, longitudinal joists supported by the crossbeams and a floor laid transverse of the joists, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL B. CROSS. ARNOLD S. OURS.

Witnesses:

GAL OURS, A. L. LAWRENCE. 

